Glass half full

Psalm 120:5-6

Woe is me, that I dwell in Meshech,

That I dwell among the tents of Kedar!

6 My soul has dwelt too long

With one who hates peace.

Woe is me. You know the feeling? Whether you admit it or not, you do. We all do. The psalmist gives us permission to be blatantly honest with ourselves and with the Father. Sometimes, I don’t like my life, where I live, and who I come in contact with. Is this too much of a peep inside my head? Truth is I dwell in my head too much!!! I focus on the woes instead of the OH’s! Looking at the negative instead of all the good in life. I get air to breathe, the sun comes up and goes down each day, I have all I NEED and way to much of what I want; however, I let others attitudes tie me up in knots and keep my focus on self and circumstances.

In the (Psalms) Songs of Ascent the Israelites were journeying to the promised land, home from exile, to the house of God. This is a great thing. So, why the “Woe is me?” Because the “road is long, with many a winding turn, that leads us to who knows where,” to quote the Hollies in their hit song He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother. It was literally a journey down to the bottom (to the head of the Dead Sea) only to turn west and then it was an uphill climb, filled with danger and hardship to the city of God, and it was commanded by God that they GO not once but THREE times a year to the Temple in Jerusalem!!! Are you kidding me? Go down the same difficult road time after time after time?? Year after year? What is the purpose in this?

The purpose is to reveal what we bury deep within and let no one see: Our woes. Our personal attitudes. Our longings. Our unspoken broken. Our priorities. Our idols. This must be wrung out: “In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me.2 Deliver my soul, O Lord.” (Psalm 12:1-2a) Wrung out to the One who alone can deliver us from ourselves: our biggest enemy, the “one who hates peace,” — our sinful self. Adrian Rogers writes, “In Adam we inherit warfare rather than peace, wickedness rather than godliness, wrath rather than approval, and weakness rather than power.” The climb to the dwelling place of God requires our commitment to move toward HIM in obedience! The struggle is real……………..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSH3Q6O_7w8

The Struggle by Tenth Avenue North

Father God,

Move my eyes from my woes to the multitude of OH’s You surround me with each and every day of life. Strengthen me as I climb toward Your dwelling place for I desire to worship You alone.

In the majestic name of Jesus I lift this prayer.

Amen